Judges 9:3

Authorized King James Version

And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ
spake
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#2
אָחִ֥ינוּ
He is our brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#3
אִמּ֜וֹ
And his mother's
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#4
עָלָ֗יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
בְּאָזְנֵי֙
of him in the ears
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#6
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
בַּֽעֲלֵ֣י
of all the men
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
#8
שְׁכֶ֔ם
of Shechem
shekem, a place in palestine
#9
אֵ֥ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
all these words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#12
הָאֵ֑לֶּה
these or those
#13
וַיֵּ֤ט
inclined
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#14
לִבָּם֙
and their hearts
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#15
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
to follow
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#16
אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ
H40
Abimelech
abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites
#17
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#18
אָֽמְר֖וּ
for they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#19
אָחִ֥ינוּ
He is our brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#20
הֽוּא׃
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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